As wildfires rage across Southern California, authorities report encounters with multiple aerial operations could impede life-saving efforts, with three police officers following two drone incidents. was arrested.
The charges had not been dismissed as of Monday afternoon. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the two arrests stemmed from one drone incident.
“If you have no business in the evacuation area, please don't go there,” Luna said at a press conference on Monday. “You're infringing on the work that first responders need to do.”
Los Angeles area residents need phone numbers and how to get help.
A Canadian super scooper collides with a drone in a maintenance hangar at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles on January 10, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Cal Fire's director told Fox News Digital that the agency could not provide details about the incident, citing a lack of insight into the Federal Aviation Administration's investigation.
The FAA directed Fox News Digital to refer questions about the arrest to local authorities.
Last week, a civilian drone crashed into a Super Scooper plane, leaving a “fist-sized hole” in its wing and grounding the potentially life-saving plane for several days.
Los Angeles wildfires: Fire planes grounded for three days after drone attack leaves 'fist-sized hole'
“We are working with public and private stakeholders to identify the operator of that drone,” said Akil Davis, FBI deputy director in charge of the Los Angeles field office. “But since that incident, we have [more than 10] Contact with drone operators that we have warned and fined over the past few years. ”
Photo: FBI releases new images of damaged Super Scooper aircraft
The plane, which is flying low to extract water from the ocean and quell wildfires, is one of two on loan from the province of Quebec.
The Super Scooper has completed its repairs and is scheduled to return to flight on Tuesday, pending FAA approval. Officials initially expected the plane to be back in service by Monday.
Following the incident, authorities warned the public to refrain from flying drones within wildfire areas. Temporary flight restrictions were put in place over the wildfire zone, and federal officials sent ground teams to intercept pilots violating FAA restrictions.
In a statement to FOX News Digital, the FAA said, “The FAA does not authorize anyone not associated with Los Angeles firefighting operations to fly drones within the TFR.”
Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief Robert Harris said at a news conference Saturday night that 48 civilian drones have been detected in the wildfire zone.
FBI searching for operator of private drone that blew hole in Canadian fire plane
Planes pump water from the ocean to quell the Palisades Fire burning in the mountains Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Sandy Hooper/Imagun)
The FAA warns of the danger of drone activity hindering first responders. Aircraft fighting wildfires often fly at low altitudes, which can lead to encounters with drones, including mid-air collisions and pilot distraction. Additionally, drones could lose connection and fall from the sky, hitting firefighters and civilians on the ground.
Flying a drone in a wildfire zone can force first responders to board ground aircraft, causing delays and threatening the safety of firefighters, civilians, and structures.
“Drones are probably one of the most significant threats to law enforcement right now,” Davis said.
Obstructing firefighting efforts on public land is a federal crime punishable by up to 12 months in prison. If a drone operator obstructs wildfire suppression or law enforcement operations while temporary flight restrictions are in place, the FAA could impose civil penalties of up to $75,000.
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The FAA advises the public: FAA Hotline Web Form To report violations of Federal Aviation Regulations.
Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch, Michael Ruiz and Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
